Bulb manufacturing apparatus



A ril 18, 19.50 A. E. DRQBISH 2,504,817

BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 18, 1950 A. E. DROBISH 2,504,817

BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. Z

April 18, 1950 A. DROBISH BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 22, 1944 H 7 R 5 1 mm 2 WM.

m H P BA B G om m m April 18, 1950 Flled Sept 22 1944 April 18, 1950 A. E; DROBISH 2,504,817

BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1944 '9 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 18, 1950 A. E. DROBISH BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 22, 1944 Illlll 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 A. E. DROBISH BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS April 18,

Filed Sept. 22, 1944 H -PIIJ H 78 N r u N R a m MR i 0 \Q Q W X/ A {ill A wQ 1T; r l! IIII imlllw a w vQ my mm E o 0 9w wk 0 0 M 0 5 K o O o m\\ o Q April 18, 1950 A. E. DROBISH 2,504,817

' BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS F iled Sept. 22, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet s Emmi-'89 ATTORNEY 9 Sheets$heet 9 A. E. DROBISH BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS April 18, 1950 Filed Sept. 22, 1944 SW Q Patented Apr. 18, 1950 BULB MANUFACTURING APPARATUS Adolph E. Drobish, Lincoln, Nebn, assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 22, 1944, Serial No. 555,337

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the manufacture of bulbs and more particularly to apparatus for forming electric lamp bulbs from preformed tubular glass blanks.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for economically forming a plurality of bulbs of uniform quality from a single preformed tubular blank.

In accordance with the above object, there is provided, in one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for forming small electric lamp bulbs of the type employed as signal indicators in telephone systems. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a supply hopper and feeding mechanism for the blanks, each blank being a glass tube of just suflicient length to produce two bulbs. Successive blanks are fed from the hopper to the feeding mechanism, which feeds the blank into a chute. In the chute, the blank moves onto a leveling device movable with a transfer mechanism and finally into position thereon, by which it is carried into coaxial alignment with reciprocable and rotatable spindles carrying chucks which are open and idle at the time and arranged adjacent opposite ends of the blank. During this latter movement of the blank, means acting thereon longitudinally centers it between the chucks. The chucks are then longitudinally advanced and in timed relation actuated to grip and rotate the blank while a cutting gas flame is played on the blank intermediate its ends. The blank is gripped and rotated initially by one chuck for a predetermined period while the flame plays thereon to heat it and then the second chuck is closed to grip and rotate it in unison with the other chuck. Upon the glass tube becoming plastic intermediate its ends, the rotating chucks are axially displaced to pull apart the two end portions of the tube, which action forms two identical partially formed bulbs having sealed end walls, and at the same time a suitable air pressure is supplied to the interior of and through th open end of each bulb to prevent the collapsing of the bulb at the point of application to the end walls of forming gas flames. The chucks now cease rotating and molds or dies are then advanced into axial alignment between the two glass bulbs while the forming gas flames continue to play on the sealed and walls thereof. The chucks are then advanced axially to enter the glass bulbs in the molds and simultaneously therewith a suitable air pressure is applied to the interior of and through the open unsealed end of each glass bulb to blow the plastic end walls into the molds to complete the formation of the two bulbs from the single blank tube. Thereafter, the last mentioned air is cut off and the chucks are displaced axially to withdraw the bulbs from the dies, the chucks also being actuated to release the bulbs and then the dies are partially retracted to align receiving members, carried thereby, with the bulbs, after which a suitable air pressure is momentarily applied to the interior of the bulbs to eject them from the chucks into the receiving members. Finally, the chucks and dies are moved to their initial positions and a blast of air of suitable pressure is momentaril applied through the spindles and chucks for cleansing purposes and one cycle of operation of the apparatus is completed. Since the gas flames are continuously on during operation of the apparatus, but only during certain periods in each cycle is it necessary that they play on the lass tube or bulbs, means comprising air nozzles are suitably arranged and controlled to remove or deflect the flames away from the work and at the same time not cause a draft of air near the work which might affect other flames being applied thereto.

Other features and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of an apparatus for forming electric lamp bulbs from preformed tubular blanks embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the air pressure system and nozzles for deflecting the gas flames from the work during certain periods in the operation of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary irregular vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken on lin 4-4 of Fig. 1, illustrating the position of the blank transfer mechanism immediately after receiving a blank from the feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing fragmentarily the blank supply hopper and feeding mechanism in section and the position of the blank transfer mechanism after delivering and axially aligning a blank with its holding chucks;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan section taken on line 11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 4 with the part operated to another position than that shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary irregular plan section dles in their advanced position and illustrating.

the means for reciprocating the right hand spin dle and operating the chuck; j 1

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of the air system connected to the spindles forapplying air of suitable different pressures to'th 'iri erior. "of

' the blanks and the bulbs during certain "perio s in the operation of the apparatus? Fig. 14 is a plan section on m enlarged scale of a portion of Fig. 1, taken substantially on'line 14-14 of Fig. 15 and illustrating the drive arrangement fora-cam shaft and-spindle-driveand clutchf'bontrol mechanism for periodically ro tatif g thejspindles;

Fig. '15 'isfa vertical irregular section taken 'on"=l'i'n'es I-5lf5 of Figs. '1 and I i showing the ca m" actuated lever tor reciprocating the right handspiridle 'ofFig. 1';

Figsfl to "19, inclusive, are fragmentary plan and'sectional views showing thebla'nk and tubes in jr'el'ation 'to the spindles and chucks, mares, gas and air'apmymg means, and finished-bulbreceiving means; and

Fig; is a timing diagram for various control cams illustrating the time of operation 'ofdifferent cooperating mechanisms of the apparatus.

The' apparatus of this invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings and to be described hereinafterymay be employed to advantag in the manufacture of small electric lamp bulbs for use as signal indicators in telephone systems.

During-eachcycle'of operation of the'a'pparatus, a preformed tubular glass blank (Figs. '12 and 16) is accurately formed into two'sim'ilar bulbs 26 (Figs. 17, *18 an'd19), each having a 'r'nolded semi spherical end wall 21.

' Referring now to the drawings in detail, the apparatus comprises the following,'indicatedf in general by the associated reference "numerals: a hopper 2 8'forcontaining a supplyofblanks 25 and arot'ary blank feeding mechanism 29 'for causing the blanks to be fed one at a time from the hopper to a pivotal blank transfer mechanism 30 (Figs. 4, 5.and 10) which includes means3 l in the path of the blank between the feeding and transferm echanisms for leveling the blank. The

" transfer'mechanism grasps and carries each blank into coaxial alignment with aligned and spaced chucks-33-and 34 attached to longitudinally reciprocable and rotatable spindle assemblages 35 and 35,respectively (Figs. 11 and 12) 'which a're idle'atthetime. During the transfer of the-blank 7 25,2, centering mechanism, indicated in general at 1 31 (Figs. '8 and; 9) longitudinally centers the blank'on' the transfer mechanism andthus betweenthe chucks 33 and 34. In a manner to belater described, the blank 25 is divided into twosimilar parts or bulbs 2 6, each having a closed end wall 21, the two bulbs then being spaced apart. Thereafter, pivotallysupported molds or diesd l and M (Figs. 4,5, 17, 18 and 19)'are advanced,

into axial alignment with the bulbs 26, which are then advanced to carry their closed ends into the dies and then the end walls 2'! are accurately shaped. Bulbreceiving members -42 and 43, movable with the dies and M, respectively (Figs. 6, 7, 17, 18 and 19), are then aligned with the formed bulbs, which have been withdrawn from the dies, whereupon the chucks 33 and are operated to release the bulbs and they are ejected from the chucks and into t e receiving members.

Drive for chuck spindle assemblages, clutch control mechanism thereforand'cam shaft i pforts. and'bearin'gslfor different operating parts of the apparatus, which, for the sake of simplicity,'wil-l not be specifically referred to in the following description unless necessary to an undefstan'ding of the apparatus. Fixed to the left end of the shaft 50 (Figs. 1 and 14) is a toothed clutch member 5i with which "is periodically mashed 'a toothed clutch member t2 splined for rotation 'to adriven shaft 53, the clutch.member 52 beingmoved into and out of meshing engagement with the'clutchmember 5! by a pivotal movement of a forked'lever 5E (Fig. 14) having its fur'c'ations 55 operatively engaged in an annular channel 56 formed in the clutch'member '52. To providefor a quick stoppage of the shaft 53 when th 'clutch is disengaged, the'shaft 53 has splined thereon an annular brake shoe 5i, whichfis yieldably'pressed against a stationary brake member 58 by a compression spring as surrounding a shouldered portion of the brake shoe between the clutch member 52 and the brake shoe, upon the clutch member "52 being disel gaged from the "clutch member 5!. At its forwardend,-as viewed in Fig. 14, the pivotal lever '54 carries a roller which is operatively engaged with a cam, to be'referre'dto hereinafter, secured on a continuously driven cam shaftbfi, a coiled tension spring 66 attached at opposite ends to the'lever'and a stationary pin as constantly maintains the lever inoperative engagement with the cam. The arrangement is such that the clutch member 52 is engaged. with the clutch member 5! by spring action and is positively disengaged therefrom by' the cam. Fixed upon the driven shaft 53 are sprocket wheels :H and #2, which are connected'by sprocket chains '13 and 'ldto sprocket'wheels 7-5 and 16 operatively connected to the chuck spindle'assemblages '35 andf36 for rotating the chucks 3 3 and 34, re spectively.

The cam shaft is continuously driven from the'driving shaft 59 by means of'a chainof gearing comprisinga pinion '79 fixed. to'ithe shaft fiii, which meshes'with a geartilfixed to a shaft 8!, to which isfixed' a pinion 8Z meshingwith a gear iil'fixedtoithe cam shaft. ecured upon the cam shaft are thirteen cams numbered 81,88, 89, 9B, 91, 92, 93,"5i,"95, "9%, 9'5 '93, the purpose of which'will be brought'out in the further description of theapparatus. Thecam 93'is the cam previously referred towith which the roller on the lever 54 is operatively engaged.

Chuck spindle assemblages Each of 'th chuck spindle assemblages 35 and 38' are identical in structure, but they are operated in certain'respectsat different periods in the cycle of operation of the apparatus in a man,- ner' and for a purpose to be referred to hereinafter. The following detailed description, al

thoughlspcifically directed to the right hand spindle assemblage 36 (Figs. 2, 11, 12 and 16),

also applies to the left-hand spindleassemblage 35, and assemblages being merely reversed. Re-

ferring particularly to Fig. 11, fixed spaced bearings I02 are interconnected by a sleeve I03 rotatably fitted therein, which is held in one direction in fixed longitudinal relation with the bearings by a collar I04 secured thereon and abutting the left hand bearing I02 and in the opposite direction by the sprocket wheel 1'6 secured thereto and abutting the right hand bearing I 02.

A splined key I05 secured to the sprocket wheel I6 rotatably connects the sprocket wheel to the sleeve I03, as well as to a sleeve I08 fitted for reciprocatory movement within the sleeve I03 and .also to a sleeve I 09 fitted for reciprocatory movement within the sleeve I08, the two sleeves I08 and I09 being reciprocated in timed relation during the operation of the apparatus by means to *be presently described, for the purpose of closing and opening the chuck 34 to grip and release the blank 25 and for reciprocating the spindle assemblage 36 bodily. Suitably dimensioned slots H and III are provided in the sleeves I08 and I09, respectively, for receiving the splined key 155 to permit the desired movements of the sleeves. Attached to the outer end of the reciprocatory sleeve I08 is a chuck head H2, which is tapered inside to slide upon the spring collet or chuck 34, which is tapered outside to fit the taper of the head, the chuck being secured to the reciprocatory sleeve I09.

Suitably secured from longitudinal movement upon the inner end of the sleeve I08, which is shorter than the sleeve I09, is a ball bearing assemblage H5. Also secured from longitudinal movement upon the sleeve I09 in suitable spaced relation to the bearing assemblage H is a ball bearing assemblage H6. Each of the ball bearing assemblages H5 and H6 is surrounded by cooperating annular flanged sets of members I I1 and H8 secured thereto, respectively, and each set of members has fixed thereto, at diametrically opposite points, pins H9 and I20, respectively, (Figs. 12 and 15) Operatively engaged with the pins H9 and I20 are pivotal forked levers I24 and I25 having their furcations I26 and I2'I, respectively, engaged with bearing blocks I28 and I29 freely rotatably carried on the pins, respectively. The levers I24 and I25 are attached at their pivoted lower ends to shafts I32 and I33 journalled in a bearing blo ck I34, the shafts also having fixed thereon levers I35 and I36 carrying rollers which are operatively engaged with the cams 94 and 96, respectively. The levers I35 and I36 of the left hand spindle assemblage 35 are similarly associated with the continuously rotating cams 81 and 86, respectively. A set of diametrically opposed coiled tension springs I39 secured at opposite ends to flanged members forming parts of the means effective to retain the ball bearing assemblages H5 and H6 from longitudinal movement upon their supporting sleeves I08 and I09, respectively, serve to normally urge and maintain the reciprocatory chuck head actuating sleeve I08 towards the right, as viewed in Fig. 11, to cause the chuck 34 to grip the glass blank 25 periodically, which movement of the sleeve I08 is under the control of the continuously rotating cam 94 through the operatively connected levers I24 and I35. Periodically, the cam 94, through the interconnecting levers I35 and I24, shifts the sleeve I08 towards the left to permit the chuck 34 to open. The

bodily advancing and retracting of the spindle assemblage 36 at predetermined periods in the cycle of operation is under the control of the cam 96 through the interconnecting levers I36 and I25 and, during these movements, no movement of the sleeve I08 with the chuck head H2 relative to thesleeve I09 occurs due to the co operating tapered faces of the chuck and head and the action of the springs I39.

Upon the right end of the rotatable sleeve I09 (Figs. 11 and 12) is secured a flanged collar I40, upon the reduced diameter of which is freely rotatably fitted a collar I M. The collar MI is retained longitudinally upon the collar I40 by a collar I42 secured to rotate with the collar I40. Extending into and freely rotatable in the bore of the sleeve I09 is a sleeve I43, which is drivefitted at its outer end in a central aperture I46 of a collar I41, which is retained longitudinally upon the spindle I09 by an arm I48 extending from the collar I42 and Operatively engaged in an annular channel I49 formed in the sleeve I43. Drive-fitted into the bore of the sleeve I43 is a tube I50, which extends the entire length of the sleeve I09 and into the chuck 34 and the chucked glass blank 25. As clearly shown in Fig. 11, the outer peripheral surface of the tube I50 is spaced from the inner peripheral wall of the glass blank for a purpose to be presently described and the end of the tube is tapered so that when the blank is entered into the chuck 34, there will be no interference from the tube. A collar I53 surrounding and rotatable upon the end of the tube, which extends into the blank 25, serves as a support for the latter end of the tube I50, the collar being adjustably positioned by a plurality of set screws I54 carried by the rotatable sleeve I08.

Compressed air supply and control thereof to interior of spindle assemblages Communicating with the central aperture I45 of the collar I4! is a depending conduit I55, through which compressed air of different suitable pressures, for example, pressures suitably throttled from three and six pound air pressure supply sources, are periodically supplied to the tube I50 and thus to the interior of the blank 25. The lower air pressure is supplied to the interior of each of the bulbs 26 during the application of gas flames, to be described hereinafter, to the end walls 21 thereof to partially form them previous to such walls being finally molded, the applied lower air pressure being effective to maintain the shape of the walls and prevent the bulbs from collapsing at the points of application of the flames. To effect a molding of the walls 21 of the bulbs 26, which are plastic at the time, the walls are blown by the higher air pressure into the molds 40 and 4| moved into position for receiving the closed ends of the bulbs and this same air pressure is again directed into the bulbs at another period to eject the same from the chucks 33 and 34 into the receiving members 42 and 43. The molds and receiving members will be more clearly described hereinafter. A depending conduit I56 fixed to the collar I4I communicates with the space surrounding the tube I50 within the sleeve I09, through which compressed air of high pressure, for example substantially -pound air pressure, is supplied. The purpose of the 90-pound air is to flush and clean out the spindle assemblages 35 and 36 at the end of each cycle of operation of the apparatus. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 13, the conduits I55 of thespindle assemblages 35 and 36 are periodically communicating with a common conduit Mawmcn communicateswith' a common ,cfo'nviliiit I 6 1 which, ln turn, communicates with each of the so duits I55. Spring-pressed plungers- IB'I and 168 of the valves I62 and I s3, respeetiveiyxareperiodically actuated to P permit*itlier throttled three pound or six pound airpressures to be' directed into the interior-of the'blank -zt by the continuously rotating cams fila'nd '98 operatively' engaging the plung'ers,frespectively An':ai1=-' pres sare supply "conduit I69 1 supplied from "a suitable source (not-shown) is periodically conriected to the conduits llifi of thespindle assemblages 35 and '36, through the actuation of a sult'a-ble air valve IIt having its outlet port-communicating With a common conduit ITI communieati ngw-ith each of the conduits 156. A spring-pressed plunger IE'' of the valve I'll) is 'periodically actuated by the continuously rotating cam '95, which operatively engages the plunger. It will be understood that due to the weight' o'f the conduits I55 and ISS depending rrom' tne collars I 4'l a-nd I4 I respectively, the latter which are" rotatably carried upon the rotatingsleeve I43 and collar I40, respectively, do not rotate' therewith.

'From the foregoingdescriptionfit will 'be apparent that when the clutch-members 5 Hand- 52, under the control of'the continuouslv rotating cam 93; are engaged by" the ac'tion of the spr-in'g 66, the drive from the continuously driven jack shaft 5% to the spindle assemblages '35 and-36 will be complete and that the chucks 33 and 34 thereof will be rotated and upon disengagement of the clutch members'a quick stoppage of rotation of the chucks will be'etfectedbythe pressure of the brake shoe 5! against the brakemember 58. Further, under the control of the'continuously rotating cams and-95 associated with the spindle assemblage 36, as'Well-as the'continuously rotating cams-'8! and ttassociated with the spindle assemblage'35, the spindle assemblages will be bodily advanced-andretracted periodically in unison-during-each-opcrating cycle and the chucks 33 and 34 wi1l 'be openedto receive and grip the ends ofitheblanks 25 and then to release the two bulbs-26- formed from each blank during each operating cycle, the opening of thechucks being effectedwhen the sleeves I08 are advanced away from the chucks. It will be understood that during all other priods in the'operating cycle,--the"chucks are caused to grip theblanks-*and-bulbs due to the normal action of the springs l 39 in advancing the chuck sleeves 109 toward the chuck -heads H2. Also, differentair pressures-for thepurpose described hereinbeforewill be applied to the interior of the glass-bulbs 26 at predetermined periods in each operating cyclein'the manner previously described throughthe valves 161M 60 and I10 under the controlof the continuously rotating cams 91, 98'and 95, respectively.

Blank supply hopper, blank feeding, letelling and transfer mechanisms for; positioning blanlcs in azrz'al alignment the cmlcks and mechanism for longitudinal centering oj -theblanks between the chucks Mounted on a standard 'I-Ie lFigsf'e 'anw5) carried bythe -base member l 'l 'is' the suriplli a downwardly sloping rear wall :IL'IIi, al fron-t Vertical wall an'd' p'arallel sidefiwalls 1:18. Journalled "theside walls I18 adjacent the bottomof the" hopper is a shaft 1 I 81 lhaving :keyed to rotate therewitha circular, blank carrying member- I 8 2 ofthe blank "feeding imechanism l29. Formed in the periphery of the member I82 and extending completely across the-width thereof are =a -plurality-0f equall-y spaced blank-receiving pockets I-83, into-which blanks25 are deposited from "the hopper 23 by the action :of gravity during intermittent rotation of the 1 member 182 'ln the direction' of 'the arrow (Fig; 5) The wall of the hopper" 28 surrounding the greater portion of the member I 82 is -sh'aped' toconform therewith and suitably spaced therefrom "so that i the blanks 25 'will-be' freely carried inthe pockets I83, which are intermittentlyaligned-with an inclined chute or channel IBM-formed in-an arm I85- on the'hopper 28, whereupon the aligned blank freely falls by the action of gravity-into the channel and Lonto" the levelling means 3 I carried by the pivotal transfer mechanism 30 positioned to receive it. The latter mechanism will be described hereinafter.

-Journa=lled Onopposite ends of the shaft I8I (Figs.-4 and 10) is a yoke member I86','-which,at its outer end, is forked to receive theupperend of "a rod I87 pivoted 'thereto, the -lower end of the rod being pivoted to a forked-end ot-alever I88 pivoted -up0n a stationary shaft l89 and carrying a roller at its 'oppo'site end which rides on the continuously rotating carn- 9|. Carried by the 1 yoke member 86 is a spring-pressed pawl I92, 'which-is operativelyengaged with a ratchet wheel I 93 fixed-to the shaft I8 I. -The pawl-I92 freely extends at its outerend through anaperture- 'in-theyoke member IBB an'dis prevented from rotating about its ownaxis by-a pin and slot connection, indicated at lfld' (Fig-( 4) between the yoke member --and -the 'pawl. l Adjacent its inner end; the pawl has pinnedthereto= a collar "I 95 andsurroundingthe pawl; 1 between a boss on" the yoke member and the collar 4'95, is-a compression s'pring I96, the normal: inward movementofthepawl towardtheteeth of the ratchet wheel being limited-by the-collar; Surrounding the rod "I81 between a collar' l fi -fixed thereto anda collar 26G free-on the rod-, which isbacked by-abracket-ZM fixed to the standard I15,-is a compression spring 2 02, which: is efiective to normally urge-the rod I8l downwardly. Thus; it will be apparent that under the control of the continuously rotating cam 9 I and the-operatively connected lever I88-and 'spring pressed-red l 81, the spring pressed 1 pawl I 92 and ratchet wheel i-93' wm index the blank carrying-t member I 82 to cause aglass tube blankto drop into the inclined chute or channel I84* duringaeachmp'erating cycle. As-shown in Fig. 4,-thefeedingmechanisn'i '29 is shownat the encl -of its feedingoperation, a blank 25 having- -been deposited :inthe channel 184 and dropp'ed onto the "transfer a cam actuated forked blank levelling and retaining member 299, the forks thereof having faces 2l0 (Fig. which cooperate with a shouldered face 243 on the bracket 29! to retain a blank 25 on the transfer mechanism 39 during its movement into coaxial alignment with the chucks 33 and 34. A tension spring 2l4 attached at opposite ends to the arm 263 and the pivotal member 299 serves to normally move the latter into blank retaining position with the bracket 29?. This is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. The arm 293, in its pivotal movement with the rock shaft 296, moves into a passage 215 provided in a forked end of the arm I85 on the hopper 2B, the forks having opposed arcuate shaped slots 2 IS in their inner faces, which communicate with the passage 2I5, for freely receiving opposite ends of the blank 25. As the transfer arm 293 moves clockwise (Fig. 5) with its rocking shaft 296, an inclined face 2" on the blank levelling retaining member 209 moves into the passage 2 i 5 in the path of a blank 25 dropped in timed relation therewith down the channel I84. The position of the face 2l1 of the member 299 in the channel I 84 at this time, and which checks the movement of the blank, serves to level the blank 25, thus preventing it from getting lodged in the chute. Thereafter, in the continued clockwise movement of the transfer arm 293, a cam face 229 on the blank levelling and retaining member 299 engages a roller 22l (Fig. 4), which serves to rock the member 299 clockwise (Figs. 4 and 5) to move the cam face 2| 1 from the path of the blank and then the blank is free to fall against the shouldered face 2| 3 on the bracket 291. This is best shown in Fig. 4.

The movement of the rock shaft 296, to which the transfer arm 293 is fixed, is under the control of the continuously rotating cam 92 by means of a bell crank lever 222 pivoted upon the stationary shaft I89, the longer arm of the lever carrying a roller which rides on the cam and its shorter arm being forked and operatively engaged at 223 with an end of a lever 224 pinned to the rock shaft 296. A tension spring 221 attached at opposite ends to the standard H5 and an arm 228 (Fig. on the transfer arm 293 constantly urges the rock shaft 296 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4) and thereby to move the transfer arm 293 from its extreme right hand position (Fig. 4) to its extreme left hand position (Fig. 5) to be more fully described hereinafter. Thus, as the roller on the lever 2'22, which is riding upon the periphery of the cam 92, follows the cam contour, the transfer arm 293 will be predeterminedly moved back and forth during each operating cycle of the cam.

Means for accurately longitudinally centering the glass blank tube between the chucks 33 and 34 while supported on the retaining jaws of the transfer arm 293 and before the blank is aligned with and grasped by the chucks comprises the following mechanism: A pair of spaced members 229 and 239 movable in a horizontal plane about vertical pivots 23l carried on the standard 515, each support, at one end, an adjustable contact member 234, the'longitudinal axes of which coincide with the longitudinal axis of the blank at one point at which it stops in its travel as it is carried into axial alignment with the chucks 33 and 34. Normally, the contact members 234 are urged apart by a tension spring 235 connected at its ends to the members 229 and 239 (Fig. 9) between their pivots 231 and the ends thereof opposite their ends carrying the contact 242 fixed to the bracket 20 I At its lower end, the

bracket 239 is forked and the forks 243 thereof span the rod l 91. Fixed to the rod l6! above theforks 243 in spaced relation is a pin 244 and acollar 245. Slidable upon the rod I81 between the pin 244 and the collar 245 is a cup-shaped collar 246, which is normally urged downwardly by a compression spring 249, surrounding the rod l8!- between the collars 245 and 246. As shown in Fig. 4, the rod i8! is in its uppermost raised position, wherein the'pin 244 carried thereby has engaged an annular inner face 259 of the collar 246 (Figs. 4 and 8) and raised it to compress the spring 249. Compression springs 25| surrounding the guide rods 242 between collars 252 fixed on the rods and faces 2530f the bracket 239 serveto normally urge the bracket upwardly to maintain the forks 243 thereon engaged with the col-- lar 246. Collars 254 fixed upon the upper ends of the guide rods 242 serve as stop members to limit the upward movement of the bracket 239 and thereby the plate 238 having the cam faces 231 thereon, which upward movement of the bracket 239, referring to Figs. 8 and 9, will cause identical movements to the pivotal members 229 and 239 to carry the blank engaging members 234 thereon away from each other under the urging of the spring 235. When the rod I9! is lowered,- the spring 249 previously compressed, acts,-

through the' collar 246 and bracket 239, to lower the cam plate 238, which movement will causeidentical movements of the contact members 234 on the pivoted members 229 and 239 toward each other, the action of the spring 235 being overcome. The last described movements of the'con tact members takes place when a blank 25 is positioned between and coaxially aligned'with the contact members 234. It will be apparent, since the movements of the contact members 234 toward the ends of the blank are identical, that the blank will be centered between the chucks 33 and 34. In Fig. 8, the bracket 239 is shown in its lowermost position, the pin 244 being spaced from the face 259 of the collar 246 and, consequently, v the pivotal members 229 and 239 will have beenmoved to carry their contact members 234 into engagement with the ends of the blank, as shown in Fi 9.

flies f0) molding end walls of bulbs and bulb? receiving members carried thereby A suitably supported stationary stud shaft 25'!- (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) rotatably supports two adjacent levers 259 and 259, the lever 258 having an arm 269, which is connected by a link 26! pivoted at 264 to a lever 265 pivoted at one end on the shaft I89 and carrying a roller at its opposite end,

which rides on the continuously rotating cam 90.- The lever 259 receives its motion from the lever 256 by means of a pin 266 (Fig. 7) fixed to the latter lever intermediate its ends, which extends freely into an aperture 261 in the lever 259.: Flattened opposite sides of the pin 266 are en-,- gaged by an adjustable stop screw'266 and one end of a compression spring 269 carried in thelever 259, the opposite end of the spring abut-- ting a pin 21! also carried in the lever 259. This yieldable connection between the levers 259 and,- 259 'is for a purpose which will be described hereinafter. 'Attheir outer or free ends, the levers,

I1 and259.-. (Figsilfkj 18. and 191 each support a; molding the and. since each Of'thediwiindicatect at 149 and 4 I, andatheirl't mounting? in "the "-"Ievers; is similar;v the description which; follows applies to: each; For examplegthe. die/49,. preferably of: Monel metal, is provided with at molding: cavity 2-l-3-,the cavitiesin-the two dies" facing inopposite directions at the'outerrsides of the levers'fori receiving the: closed endsof: the-bulbs 26: Concentric ring-shaped. insertst-214 andi215. are fixed in anaperture formedfinethe zfree end of: the levers 258v'and' 25.9 andfixthedieAlt is longitudinally adiustably: fitted in thefinn'er insert 215. At the open end of: theld-ie his an; apertured insert 218; which: is fixed-tot the outeriinsert 2.14; the aperture therein freelyadmitti'ng thebulb'i't when: advanced. into the'molding'cavity' 213;: Integral withthg outerfsinsert 12M isza semi-circular shoeoristopmember- 219-; the: inner-'surfacexof. which, asiz-shown' iii-Figs 18; snugly abuts the peripheral surface OfthETOhllCk head H2 when thezdieitfl is .icoaxially I aligned with? the chuck supported bulb '2 fii upon the leveri258 being rockedi'clockwise from: the full :lii'ie positions' shown in Figs; 4 and: 5 to" the right hand dotted outline position shownin Fig; 4,.iwherein1th'e die m is inpo'sition tcr re-' ceive theibulh. Asclearly shown: in Figs-:4: and? '1 9,i:theouteriinsert 21tand the e'ncl i-insert 21ft are radially slotted as; indicated: at 2 E9 o-clear' the bulb 26 extending from the chucki'3 3 durin the referred-to movement; oft-the'lever"'2'581 A tension spring '28 attached at opposite ends to the standard 115 'andj'to thedie supporting and operating'lever'258 constantly urges thelever 25%!" and the lever 259 yield'ablv; connected thereto-in the manner previously described to' rotate on the extreme left 'hand' position-touts extreme potted outline right "hand'position (Fig; 43 Thus; as the roller on the lever 222; which 1 is riding upon the peripher of the'cam' 9lli'follows' 'the camcontour', the die actuating levers zssane 259'will be pred'et'ermlned ly moved back 'and fo'rth dur ingeachopera'ting cycle of'the cam. The pur'-' pose of the yieldable connection between the die carrying'l'e'vers 25B and-"259. previously described and ithe stop members 219 movable with the levers and which stopmembers come to rest against t e chuck head's H2, is to insure that'the dies 41! and 'H will""be-- individually I coaxiall'v aliened with the bulhslsi the cam roller on the lever 2 22 b ing free of 'the cam -9U"duri'ng" this period in the cycle. r

Atta pl ed to'the su ort wh ch carries the stud s ft 2511s a-sthn membenzkz (Fig-see and 5). which is en a ed by an adiiistabl'e screw 283 mounted? on the' transfer" arm -2.93 forth e' blanks 215;;- Th'ewarrancement is" such that when. the.

transfer arm" 2 3: is rocked counterclockwise by the action-i or the; tension" spring 22:1 under the memlsiers i n bulb receiving passages 28 6 and when the levers are rocked toa predeterminedposition, as shown inFig; 1 9, the passagesare inalignment' with the bulbs 2@carried in'thechucks 33and 3% Atits lower-"endgthe passage 28B 'of the member; n 'communicates with aapassa'geszal in-zthemem- 1'2 ber 43: Fixed: .tubeszr288 (Figsl 2-a'nd6) are so? arranged-thatfWhn:the members 42. and 431 are in position::(Eig;. 19) .for' receiving the bulbs '26: fromtthe chucks. 33"andl 34; the bulbsbei'ng ej ected by airpressure supplied to the. interiors. thereof, infthe' manner described hereinbefore, from the chucks; which are open at the time, they will bef delivered intozth'e tubes 288', from whichzthey pass, jinto a. suitable magazining device (not Cutting andi'orming gas flame burners and air nozzles for periodically deflecting the flames l A gas burner 289' is provided for directin a suitable cutting: flame against the periphery of the rotating glass blank ZlS intermediate itsends (Figs; Band 16) While grasped by the chucks 3'3 and 341- Othergas burners 291 and 292 are provided for directing suitable forming flames against 2m the'end Walls 21 or the partially formed rotating bu1bs26 (Figs. 3 and I7)' after the blank 25' has beenvpulled apart'to maintain the walls'plastic for the-moldirig operation which follows immediately. The-burners'289, 29fl and'292" are connected to a suitable gas supply source (not shown) and the gas names "from the burners are continuously on duringoperation of the apparatus; It is desirable that-thefiame from the cutting burner 289 should have a-normal'jdirection for playing on the peri'pliery of the blank 25 for a predetermined period during eaclioperating cycle and also in the caseof the flames from the end wall forming burners 29Iand- 292 ,which should haveanormal direction only; after theblank25'has been pulled i apart and up to the'molding of the end walls 21' of the bulbs 25; At 'otherperlods inthe operating cycle, the -fiarnes'-;are deflected in right angular directions from their" normal path away from the blank and tubes th-usfpreventing the flames from playing on j the blank'jfand tubes when it is not necessaryand also to prevent the forming of air drafts on thework which might affect the other flame or'fl'ames-bei-ng applied to the work.

Air emitted under throttled six-pound pressure periodically from suitabl arranged nozzles 293, 2 94 and 2951s employed to deflect the flames in the desired manner from the burners 2B9; 29l' and 292', respectivelyr' As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, the" nozzles are periodically connected to throttled six-pound air pressure supply conduits 298 and 299, which are supplied from al -suitable supply source (not shown). The conduits 2'98'and 299"are connected to suitable air valvesSllfl and 391; respectively, having their outlet ports communicating, in the case of the valve SU-Ufwith a conduit 3U2 'connected to the nozzle 293 and of the valve30lj with a common conduit 393 connected to each of" the nozzles 294 and 295. Spring-pressed plungers' 306 and-'39! of the valves to permit six-pound air pressure to be emitted through the-nozzles" by the continuously rotating earns 88 and 89, respectively.

Operating cycle."

It is believecl from-the foregoing detailed description of theautomatic apparatus, as applied to the forming of electric lamp bulbs for use in telephone systems; wherein two similar lamp bulbs ZE aresimultaneouSly formed from a preformed tubularglass blank 25-, that its mode of operation is apparent; Howevenit maybe Well to indicate, by'way of summary,;what such general operation involves;

It is: to be; understood that each: complete 'IBVOJQ- 390 and-3D l', respectively, are periodically actuated lutlon of the continuously rotating cam shaft 65 completes a cycle of operation of the apparatus during which two bulbs 26 are formed. Also, it will be assumed that the cams 88, 81, 88, 89, 99, 9|, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 91 and 98 have all been formed with suitable peripheral or side face contours, as well as adjusted relative to each other upon the shaft 65 to time correctly the periodic movements of the various mechanisms to be effected thereby, and this timing will be apparent from the diagram shown in Fig. 20. In the various figures of the drawings, no attempt has been made to show the exact configuration of the cam faces, since it will be apparent from the above description how they should be cut to produce the required movements.

A better understanding of the above-described apparatus may be had by reference to the following brief description of the operation thereof when considered in conjunction with the timing diagram of Fig. 20. As shown in Fig. 4, a blank 25 has just been received by the transfer mechanism 30 and is resting against the shouldered face 2I3 thereof, which movement of the blank occurred as the transfer arm 293 reached its extreme right hand position, whereupon the pivotal blank levelling and retaining member 299 was moved clockwise upon the cam face 229 thereof engaging the roller 22L Previous to this position of the blank 25, it was resting level upon the inclined face 2 I! of the member 299, as shown in the right hand dotted outline position of the transfer mechanism in Fig. 5, where it had dropped in the last intermittent rotary movement of the member I 82 of the blank feeding mechanism 29, effected by its actuating pawl I92, as the actuating rod I81 of the feeding mechanism 29 was moved to its uppermost raised position, as shown in Fig. 4. At this point in the cycle, the blank 25, last transferred to and gripped by the chucks 39 and 34, is being rotated, since the spindle assemblages 35 and 39 are in their advanced positions, the chucks 33 and 34 closed and the spindle drive clutch members and 52 engaged. Also, the cutting flame from the burner 289 is playing on the rotating blank 25 intermediate its ends (Fig. 16), since the defleeting air through the nozzle 293 has been cut off by the closure of the valve 399 and the forming flames from the burners 29I and 292 are being deflected from their normal direction by the deflecting air from the nozzles 299 and 295, respectively, the valve 39I being open. The arms 258 and 259 supporting the molds or dies 92 and 43, respectively, are at this period, as shown in Fig. 4, in their retracted or clearance left hand position. It will also be understood that at this period in the cycle the valves I69, I6! and I'll) are closed oiT so that no air pressure is being directed for the purposes and in the manner previously described into the interior of the spindle assemblages 34 and 35.

With the just described conditions of the various mechanism of the apparatus and upon the glass blank tube 25 becoming plastic intermediate its ends after it is subjected for a predetermined period to the cutting flame from the burner 289, the spindle assemblages 35 and 39 carrying the rotating chucks 93 and 94 are axially displaced under the control of the cams 89 and 96, respeceach bulb 26 to maintain the shape of the end walls 21 and prevent the collapsing of the bulbs while the forming flames are being applied. This is effected by the opening of the valve I9I. The cutting flame from the burner 289 is immediately deflected from its normal direction upon the splitting apart of the blank 25 by the air from the nozzle 299 due to the opening of the valve 399 and simultaneously therewith the forming flames from the burners 29I and 292 are directed against the end walls 2'! of the bulbs 26 (Fig. 17) to maintain them plastic by the cuttingofi of the air through the nozzles 294 and 295, the valve 39I having been closed.

Upon the splitting of the blank 25 into the tubes 26, the transfer arm 293, with a blank in position thereon as described hereinbefore, is advanced counterclockwise (Fig. 4), whereupon the spring closed blank retaining member 209 is disengaged from the roller 22l and moves coun-' terclockwise to yieldably grip the blank 25 to the transfer arm, as shown in dotted outline in the intermediate dotted outline position of the arm in Fig. 5. In this position of the transfer arm, the blank 25 is coaxially aligned with the contact members 234 of the mechanism 31, which members are in their retracted positions at this point in the operating cycle. Thereafter the centering arms 229 and 239 are moved toward each other to engage the contact members 294 with the ends of the blank 25 and the blank is thus shifted longitudinally in one direction or the other to center the blank between the chucks. This is efifected at the point in the cycle when the pawl I92 is idly retracted over the ratchet wheel I93 in preparation for the next feeding movement of the blank carrying member I92 as the actuating rod I8? moves downwardly. This movement of the rod IB'E permits the bracket 239 carrying the cam plate 238 to move downwardly under the action of the spring 299 and through the rollers 236 on the ends of the centering arms 229 and 239 riding on the cam faces 23'! of the plate the contact members 234 at the opposite ends of the arms are moved toward each other to engage the ends of the blank 25. In Fig. 9, the contact members 234 are shown in their advanced position, the blank having been longitudinally centered between the chucks 33 and 34, the transfer arm remaining at this position with the centered blank engaging the contact members for a period and then the centering arms 229 and 299 are retracted, thus leaving the blank centered and still yieldably gripped to the transfer arm.

Shortly after this period in the operating cycle, the flames from the forming burners 29! and 292 are deflected from the end walls 21 of the bulbs 26 by air from the nozzles 294 and 295, the valve 3! having been opened. In timed relation with the deflection of the forming flames, the levers 258 and 259 carrying the molds or dies 49 and M are advanced clockwise (Figs. 4 and 5) to coaxially align the molding cavities 213 with the tubes 26 and substantially at the same instant the drive to the spindle assemblages 34 and 35 is opened by the disengagement of the clutch members 5I and 52 and the brake shoe 5'! is applied against the brake member 58 to immediately stop rotation of the chucks 39 and 94 and thereby the bulbs 29 carried thereby. Also substantially at this time the throttled three pound air pressure directed into the interior of the bulbs is cut off by the closing of the valve IGI and simultaneously therewith the spindle assemblages 35 and 36 are advanced toward each other to enter the bulbs 26 in the molding cavi- 17 movable into position to receive the adjacent walled ends of the blanks, means for introducing air under pressure through said chucks into the bulbs to first mold the end walls thereof against said dies and for later ejecting the bulbs, means for effecting opening of said chucks after the walls have been molded and before said pressure is again introduced through said chucks into the bulbs for ejecting the same, means carried on said dies for receiving the ejected bulbs when the dies are moved from their operative positions, and means for intermittently controlling the introduction of said air pressure through said chucks into the bulbs.

3. In an apparatus for forming two bulbs from a blank, means for supporting a blank in a working position, a pair of chucks aligned with opposite ends of said blank in the working position, means for advancing the chucks to grasp the blank, means for heating the blank grasped by the chucks, means for moving the chucks apart to sever the blank, means for feeding air under pressure through the chucks to mold the severed parts of the blank, means for ejecting the molded bulbs, auxiliary means for directing air under a different pressure through the chucks for cleansing the same, and valve means for controlling the flow of air under said different pressures,

4. In an apparatus for forming two bulbs from a blank, a support for positioning a blank in a working position, a pair of chucks movable toward and away from each other and aligned with opposite ends of said blank in the working position, means for moving the chucks to grasp the ends of the blank, means for rotating said chucks, means for heating the blank intermediate its ends, means for moving said chucks away from each other to pull apart the blank at its intermediate heated portion to form two bulbs having end walls on their adjacent ends, dies movable into position to receive the adjacent walled ends of the blanks, an air passage in each of said chucks, a source of air under relatively low pressure, a second source of air under a relatively high pressure, valve means operable to direct the air from the low pressure source through said air passages, means for operating said valve means when the dies are in position to receive the ends of the blanks to mold them and after the blanks are formed to eject them, a second valve means operable to direct the air from the high pressure source through the chucks to cleanse the passages, and. means to operate the second valve means after the blanks are ejected.

5. In an apparatus for forming two bulbs from a blank, a support for positioning the blank in a working position, a pair of chucks movable toward and away from each other and aligned with opposite ends of the blank in the working position, means for moving the chucks toward each other to grasp the ends of the blank, means for rotating said chucks, means for heating the blank intermediate its ends, means for moving said chucks away from each other to pull apart the blank at its intermediate heated portion to form two bulbs having end walls on their adjacent ends, dies movable into position to receive the adjacent walled ends of the bulbs, means for introducing air under pressure through said chucks into the bulbs to mold the end walls thereof against said dies and for later ejecting the bulbs, means for effecting opening of said chucks after the walls have been molded and before the air under pressure is again introduced through said chucks into the bulbs for ejecting the same, means for introducing air under greater pressure than said first pressure through said chucks for cleansing the same upon ejection of the bulbs, means for intermittently controlling the introduction of said air under pressures through said chucks into the bulbs, and individual sources for said different air pressures connected to said control means.

6. In an apparatus for forming two bulbs from a blank, a support for positioning the blank in a working position, a pair of chucks movable toward and away from each other and aligned with opposite ends of the blank in the working position, means for moving the chucks toward each other to grasp the ends of the blank, means for rotating said chucks, means for heating the blank intermediate its ends, means for moving said chucks away from each other to pull apart the blank at its intermediate heated portion to form two bulbs having end walls on their adjacent ends, means for exteriorly heating the end walls, means for introducing air under pressure through said chucks into the bulbs to prevent their collapse during said last heat ng, dies movable into position to receive the adjacent walled ends of the bulbs, means for introducing air under greater pressure than said first pressure through said chucks into the bulbs to mold the end walls thereof against said dies and for later ejecting the bulbs, means for effecting opening of said chucks after the walls have been molded and before the said air under greater pressure is again introduced through said chucks into the bulbs for ejecting the same, means for introducing air under greater pressure than said second pressure through said chucks for cleansing the same upon ejection of the bulbs, means for intermittently controlling the introduction of said air under the different pressures through said chucks into the bulbs, and individual sources for said different air pressures connected to said control means.

ADOLPH E. DROBISH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 263,023 Connolly Aug. 22, 1882 1,888,851 Donovan et al Nov. 22, 1932 2,050,088 Dichter Aug. 4, 1936 2,227,224 Kimble et al Dec. 31, 1940 2,406,101 Pipping Aug, 20, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 527,692 Great Britain Oct. 14, 1940 

